COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1931, Page 2

COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, MARCH lOtli. COUNTY CLERK’S REPORT. Sir and Gentlemen, —Regarding No. 5 Unemployment Scheme, I have the honor to report that the following have been the transactions for the period the scheme has been in force in the County^fe-

.For the current week, 67 men are on the list, requiring 195 days work of a wage of £136/10/-. There is a good deal of extra work involved, and the Overseer has been particularly busy in interviewing the men and setting them to work. The localities where work is in hand are scattered, and as it is required to pay the men weekly, arrangements have been made for a supervisor who inspects the works daily travelling by motor cycle as far as possible, and arranges the weekly payments as requested. The arrangements made have worked satisfactorily, and the Overseer has expressed satisfaction with the work performed, which includes clear* ing and widening roads, clearing and deepening drains, assisting at protection work, and general road improvements in the vicinity where there are unemployed offering. It has been possible to place all men eligible, although as will be seen, the number has increase steadily, and is being added to as the scope of the scheme is being realised.

The District Engineer has advised that his staff will survey the site for the new bridge at Kanieri Forks, opposite Havill’s on the secondary highway, and also kindly prepare the plans for a standard bridge to meet requirements. A vote for the work is expected this year. The District Engineer will also look into the type of bridge considered best for the open crossing at Wataroa Detour Highway, where traffic has been held up at times of late, and a vote will be applied for this work also.

Mr Johnston has advised, also, that the Public Works Department has received authority for a vote of £3OO f°r the Poerua-Wataroa stock track, and ’the line will be laid off as soon as the survey can be arranged for, and the work put in hand. Regarding the Little Wanganui river protection affecting Petersen Road, the District Engineer has advised verbally that the Counoil’s offer of £loo for the work h'as been referred to Head Office, In tlm interval, tile Inspecting Etlgilfe&r, Mr Sharp, visited the district in regard to general flood dahltge, and returned to Head Office to submit his recommendations. At the time of writing, these are not available, but it is undofstood Mr Sharp does not favour aiT,y 'additional protection at the point referred to than that already suggested, and for which the Council has offered to contribute. A later flood has, improved the position, and any immediate danger has been removed by the new course taken by the stream. The cost of the protection work proposed up-stream is very considerable, and will he divided betiveen the Highways and Public Works Funds.

SECONDARY HIGHWAYS REPORT. Sir, —I liavei the honor to Jreport upon the progress of work on the Secondary Highways during the month of February:— CENTRAL RIDING. Lower ICokata-hi-McArthur Rclad.— The ordinary maintenance work was discontinued during the month, attention being given to repairing very bad ■scours- on the roadway, caused by continuous floods over the lower section of approximately one and a half miles in length. Two had breaks occurred in the Kokatahi Bridge protection, the first one 750 links above the bridge was serious, the erosion extending to the abatment piles which are. not lined. Repairs to this section are well in hand and will be completed by March 3rd. The amount of material used consists of 24 wire nets, 7 cwt of No. 8 wire. 50 cubic yards of stone, and 600 yards of scrub.

Upper Kokatahi Road.—Repairs were; effected with gravel to motor worn holes and depressions, one portion of the road receiving a coat of gravel 6 inches in height for 800 links in length, 80 cubic yards of gravel being used for the purpose. Lake Kanieri Road.—Repairs were effected to scours and motor worn holes over a distance of five miles, using 37' cubic yards of gravel. Watertables were cleaned and overgrowth cleared a distance of 5 chains. The formation of the widening west of Bouchers Creek was extended a further distance of 300 links and metalled six feet >n width and 12 inche s high for 7(>o links in length, and 14 feet in width end 6 inches in depth for 300 links using 175 cubKc yards of gravel. The road was also widened beyond tH Power House by cutting into the lower side of the road fer 7 in width with an average depth of 6 feet, the road being metalled for 16 feet in width and 6 inches in height over a distance of 300 links. Beyond this point, the lower side of the road was formed in readiness for metalling an average width of 7 feet and 7 feet in depth. This portion is not metalled. Jhe total amount of material removed

in formation amounted to 237 cubic yards and 125 cubic yards of gravel. In addition of quantity of 8 x 4 planking was carted up to Kanieri River, Right Hand branch, McKays and Stripland Creek Bridges. Traffic planks were procured and carted up to Crayfish Creek, Stoney Creek and Stripland Creek bridges. The total quantity of timber is as follows: — 8 x 4 12/12, 23/14, 30/16, 2/16—2619 super feet. Stripland Creek Bridge 9x2 16/16, 8/17—588 super 'eet. Stoney Creek Bridge 9 x 2 8/20—240 super feet, Crayfish Creek Bridge 9x2 8/18 — 216 super feet.—Total 2,663 super feet. The power grader was in use for several days grading and regrading bad scours and resurfacing the road twice between Kanieri and Ward Road a total distance of 14-| miles graded.

Date Men. - Days \\ r nges £ s (1 Feb. 21 19 42 29 8 0 Feb. 28th 40 123 86 2 0 March 7tli 00 147 102 18 0 114 312 £218. 8 0